What to do when you feel unseen, unappreciated or insignificant

Hey! Have you ever felt unappreciated, unvalued, insignificant? That what you’re doing with your life is not enough, not important? That no one sees or cares about what you do?

Do you feel that somehow you should be doing something that is valued and appreciated by others?

I have. I regularly struggle with this.

Our world strongly impresses on us the need to be seen, to have our achievements praised, to be liked and to do something worthy of the admiration of others. There is a non-stop barrage of images and messages shouting at as that we don’t measure up to the great things other people are doing. “Shouldn’t you be doing something more important?” the voice of the world condescendingly implies.

It can be depressing, deflating, demotivating and confusing when we listen to the voices of the world. Sometimes we don’t even know we are listening to the world’s demands. It can send us in a tail-spin trying to work out how we too can get our slice of attention and appreciation. How can I be seen to be valuable to others?

One day as I was suddenly attacked by a sense of worthlessness, some God-inspired truth came to mind.

“Your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Don’t do what is valued by the world.

You can’t please God if you are trying to please others.”

Truth sets us free. Suddenly the sting of that vile attack was gone.

It seems, perhaps in this age particularly, people feel the need to be “seen” and “valued” by others. Through social media, and the images and messaging on screens, we are taught that our value is in how we look, our skills, our wealth, our achievements and so on.

Do you know that what is valued by the world is despised by God?

The apostle, Luke, tells us that, “What is prized among men is detestable before God.” (Luke 16:15b)

That of course, doesn’t mean that your looks, skills and achievements are detestable; but that measuring others, or ourselves, by these things and praising or judging people based on these things, is not pleasing to God.

These are external things, but God sees the heart, right down to the motives of why we do things. Jeremiah 17:10 tells us: “I, the Lord, search the heart. I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.”

What can we do when we feel unseen, unappreciated or insignificant?

Rather than trying to please others, or even our own sinful flesh, we should be aiming to please God.

Paul says, “if I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)

In 1 Thessalonians 2:4 he again states, “We speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.”

Jesus says to the Pharisees, “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” (John 5:44)

Paul states, “We make it our aim to please Him,” (2 Cor 5:9) and that we “Do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor 10:31)

We are instructed in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for man.” All our work, seen or unseen, should be to honour the Lord.

We should not seek the appreciation or approval of the world or others. Rather, we should seek God’s will, above all.

Matthew 6:6 tells us that God himself is unseen, and that He rewards what is done in secret.

There are many biblical references to God rewarding was is unseen, and what is done in secret, such as giving, praying and fasting. But all things are seen by him, all that you do, and he knows the reasons and motivation behind all that we do.

Doing good things for the praise of others, also, is not rewarded by God. Jesus refers to those who do their acts of righteousness to get praise from others. The fleeting, fickle praise of men is all they will receive, rather that the eternal reward of those whose work is unseen and unrewarded by man.

When you feel unseen, remember that God, the Almighty One, is also unseen.

When you feel that what you do is unnoticed, remember that He notices, and He will reward you.

Are you doing what He wants, for His glory? That’s what matters.

In the kingdom of this world, only what is seen matters. But, in God’s counter-cultural Kingdom, what is unseen, unknown, unrewarded and unpraised, is known, rewarded and praised by God when it is done for Him, out of love and for His glory.

Maybe, you can’t DO much at all (at least, in the world’s eyes.) Maybe you are caring for children, sowing your time, effort and care into those that God has entrusted to you. Did you know God considers caring for children to be good works? God sees. He will reward you.

Maybe you are caring for a sick relative or visiting someone in need. Maybe you help people around you, without any thanks. Maybe you give to others, and no one knows. Maybe they don’t even know. But God knows.

Maybe you pray for others, for their needs and their salvation. God sees. He will reward you.

Maybe you are doing all you can, going to work to support your family, being a good employee, humbly shining God’s light to others around you. Your reward is with God.

Maybe you are just managing to keep going every day. Maybe you are struggling with health or mental issues or emotional struggles. Maybe you’re just holding on, dealing with pressures, struggles and difficulties, holding onto your faith by your fingertips. God sees your faithfulness. He sees. Your value isn’t in what you do.

He loves you. YOU are valuable to Him.

Don’t waste your life trying to impress others, or even being sorrowful if you are not DOING anything that counts in the world’s eyes.

There’s eternal reward and praise from God himself for those who faithfully follow Him.

This reward is more real and valuable than any reward the world can give.

I hope this has helped and blessed you.

Peace to you in the name of Yeshua, Jesus, our Saviour.